Flora Tristan, 7th April 1803 - 14 November 1844

Flora Tristan was a French Socialist, Feminist and Social Commentator.

Tristan's father died when she was four, leaving the family in poverty. When she was old enough, Tristan worked in a Lithograph factory and later married her boss. The marriage was a bad one and she had to escape a few years later. It was only possible for Tristan to be granted a legal separation after her husband shot her.Tristan argued in favour of divorce and believed that the freedom of the working classes was dependant on the emancipation of women.Flora Tristan was also the Grandmother of Paul Gauguin.For more on Flora Tristan click here.